SIDNEY – When Harold Slater died July 15, his wife Barbara closed Slater’s Fruit Market after 45 years of operation and offered the business for sale. The couple co-owned the business. New owner Maxine Spangle, who lives in the Claypool area, heard about Harold’s death on a trip to Florida when her husband, Gary, texted her with the news. Twelve hours later, Gary sent another message asking her about buying the store. “He said he drove over, walked around the building, looked in the windows, sat in front and prayed about owning it,” said Maxine. “When I came home, I did the same thing.” They discussed the idea with Maxine’s daughter, Ashley, and her husband, David, who is Gary’s son. The younger Spangles were married before their parents tied the knot, a situation Maxine says is all Ashley’s fault. “I would go to Gary’s house to pick up Ashley,” Maxine said as Ashley rolls her eyes at hearing the story again. “The kids would be off somewhere. Gary and I would talk as we waited for them to come back.” Mother and daughter work in the store now named Spangle’s Country Crossing. Maintaining the charm of its wooden floors, handwritten signs, specialty cheeses, locally grown produce and local goods, the Spangles haven’t changed much in their first two weeks of operation. There’s a computer monitor replacing Slater’s old cash register. Barb said the old register is still in use at the tree farm on Ind. 14. Outside, there’s a new sign, a fresh application of paint and a railing along the front deck and stairs. According to Maxine, as all the closing paperwork was signed for the property, Kim Slater, one of Harold and Barbara’s sons, said, “You know, if you ask Mom I bet she’d come back to work there.” Maxine asked. Barb came back. And it’s been a great relief to Maxine to have her in the store. “We’re so very thankful and blessed to have her here,” she said. “It makes the transition so smooth. She’s so helpful and introduces us to everyone.” The store has its usual fall offerings of apples, pumpkins, apple cider, corn shocks and mums. Maxine recently inherited all the tools and inventory for a wreath-making business and plans to have wreaths available for the upcoming winter holiday, and might add poinsettias for sale. She’s really looking forward to the spring when the fresh plants arrive. “I always thought I wanted a greenhouse,” she said. “This is the backup for that dream.” Having worked many years as the manager of food service for Warsaw Community Schools, she’s no stranger to the paperwork and ordering processes store operations require to keep it stocked. She also worked in a restaurant for many years and is familiar with customer service and food handling. “Barbara handed me a book listing every supplier with years of notes,” she said. In addition to Ashley, Maxine also has a son, Hunter, a junior at Warsaw Community High School, and a daughter, Madison, a sophomore. For now, Gary is keeping his job at Metzger Cattle Company. Ashley and David have two children, Behati and Everleigh, who are often in the store. Gary also has another son, Douglas. Customers, happy the store has reopened, drift in and out. “We’ve met so many wonderful people,” she said. “We’d like to bring Sidney back alive. We have a great vision of what it could be.” The store hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The business phone number is 260-839-2755 with an email address of spanglescountrycrossing@gmail.com
